Grist
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I was listening to a debate on Radio 4 the other day, where a youthful yet jaded-sounding executive from the BPI was pitted against some 'music in the internet age' commentators.
He was really on the ropes, and his best comeback was that in the future, maybe we would all pay that little bit extra to become a 'part of the creative process'. Listen to the original demos, read the studio diary, that kind of thing.
I probably would pay extra for that kind of access, to certain artists. There is a reason, though, that original demos and first versions become surpassed, in the creative process - they're shit in comparison to released versions. Can anyone think of an exception to this rule?
So maybe there is a naive charm to some early demos and versions (think of those myriad formulations of 'Strawberry Fields Forever') - but you have to trust your performer - they seem generally to know best.
On the other hand. I would pay good money to know when Joanna Newsom has written a song, or even part of a song, or a couplet... It's a sick fascination. The sort of sick fascination that leads me to download Morrissey rarities such as the attached - my favourite song, from my favourite album, in an early version, which is simply horrible in comparison. It sounds like the Police attempting a Smiths song. But you will listen anyway, if you love Morrissey, and have read this far. But why?
Jake Thackray was a very different proposition: He was born in Leeds, and loved his devoutly Catholic upbringing and mother. A socialist, he lost some of his twenties in Paris, before coming back to Leeds to teach, pick up the guitar, and write some of the funniest and most rampantly heterosexual songs of the period.
He was never really accepted in folk circles. His Gallic features, his nylon strung guitar and slappy technique, and his affinity for Brel and Brassens-esque whimsy set him too far apart.
Here's some Brassens for comparison:
Themes of animals and death, the weight of social class, a bit of lighthearted 70's misogyny, serious religiousity, and pompous figures of fun (sometimes clergymen) were recurrent.
Here he is at his best:
If you enjoy his tight-lipped warmth, consider getting hold of the excellent 4CD EMI collection Jake in a box.
And so, here we are, with me eager to post the first track from White Noise's debut album, and with little reason for doing so... Apart from the fact that listening to this in 1969 must have been like going brain-skiing!
Comments
Sadly, I can't open videos at work (technically, I can open audio, but I value my relationships with my workmates), so I don't know which Thackray is downloaded. If it's "Last Will and Testament," I will say that it's the only Jake Thackray song I know, but I love it immoderately.
I haven't heard of Jake Thackray before your post, and now i'm very glad you introduced me to him! For a comedian, he sure does make beautiful music.
It was so tough to choose a Thackray song to post, and "The Last Will and Testament..." was on the shortlist. Maybe I'll put a couple of others up for you guys - maybe one of the more serious songs - he really does have some beautiful tunes.